Quality skincare, haircare and makeup products can add up quickly, which is why I try to buy during Sephora sales. And huzzah! The Spring Savings Event starts today for some member tiers. If you’re not eligible yet, prepare your cart for either 4/5 or 4/7! (Important codes: Use code “SAVESPRING” to take between 10 and 20 percent off your whole order, and use code “FREESHIP” for the obvious. 😉)
I’ve personally adopted a less is more/quality over quantity beauty routine over the last couple of years, and no longer have drawers and a medicine cabinet full of products and samples that I “might use someday” or “have always wanted to try.” I now really only own what I actually use… and nothing more. (Fifteen products in total that I either use daily or weekly!) It’s a freeing feeling, and I take better care of myself and don’t skip things because I’m not overwhelmed by it all anymore. (Btw, I talk about where to donate unused product in Chicago here!)
Here’s what’s actually own and use—and swear by:
Everything I own and actually use
Skincare
Makeup
- Concealer
- SPF Liquid Foundation
- SPF Powder Foundation
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Brow Pencil
- Blush/Bronzer Combo
- Lipstick
Haircare
- Detangler/Heat Protectant
- Olaplex Treatment
- Clarifying Shampoo (This shampoo/conditioner for regular use.)
Reviews
This is my #1 pick for haircare! I used to suffer from extremely thin and fried hair, but thanks to Olaplex, I now have (at least!) double the hair. You can read my full review on it here, but I cannot recommend this stuff more. You basically just leave it in your hair for 10 minutes or more, and you’re left with silky locks. It’s a lifesaver for over processed or heat-damaged hair.
You can shop the whole Olaplex line here! (Note: I also SWEAR BY Pantene Rescue Shots, which are ridiculously affordable and make your hair as soft as silk, too. If you’re going to try Olaplex, give the Rescue Shots a “shot”—haha—too!)
(Olaplex is part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
I love this face wash! I have extremely sensitive skin, and but this is gentle and smells amazing. Makes me feel like I’m at a spa. I buy the large pump version once per year and keep it in the shower. It’s such a nice treat in the morning! (Note: This is the other one I love for the winter, when my skin is dry and irritated.)
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
Yay for this new-to-me clean beauty brand! I switched to this lengthening mascara recently and really love it.
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
I have really patchy eyebrows, haha. But this fixes that and makes them look so more more pronounced! Very easy to apply. I use “Soft Brown.”
My holy grail. It’s expensive, which is why I buy it during sales, but it really does fix all dryness/irritation problems. If you have extremely sensitive skin, give it a try—because I could not live without it! It’s soothing and my skin is in the best shape of my life because of it. (I also use this anti-aging moisturizer every few days because I’m not getting any younger but also don’t tolerate retinol very well.)
Okay, this is magic makeup. bareMinerals is my absolute favorite beauty brand. (It’s also clean!) This foundation is ridiculously easy to apply—a child could do it—and leaves my skin looking flawless until I wash it off at night. Does not get oily. The best part? It’s not a big deal if you fall asleep in it. I try not to do this, but every couple of weeks, I’ll pass out while reading a book or watching a show, and I’m out until the next morning! bareMinerals says that this foundation is so pure that you can sleep in it. It improves your skin over time! (I wear the lightest shade during the winter and move up one for summer.)
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
Unfortunately this is sold out at Sephora, but it’s available at Target. It’s the best eyeliner I’ve ever used. It doesn’t come off, and it doesn’t mess with my contacts. (Other eyeliners have left me with cloudy contacts, which is so annoying.) Goes on so easily, too!
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
My favorite lipstick, so much so that I got rid of the rest of ’em and literally only own this one. (Not that I owned that many others.) I use “Memory.” You can find that at Target since it doesn’t seem to be available at Sephora right now.)
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
Do you use a clarifying shampoo? If not, time to buy! It removes product/environment buildup and leaves you with wonderfully light and clean hair that is no longer weighed down. It bounces! I only use this every two weeks, though, as clarifying shampoos are not meant to be used every day. Overuse can lead to stripping. But once every two weeks? The best.
My sister-in-law and I both adore this overnight face mask. It really does wonders! My skin feels moisturized and healthy when I wake up in the morning. I have a glow!
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
This is what I use as a detangler, heat protectant and frizz-fighter. It’s an all-in-one, which makes life a lot easier and simpler.
THIS. It does not come off, flake or become patchy. It’s great. And you can layer it. Throughout the week, I use very little, but on the weekends, I’ll often put on an extra “layer” for a more airbrushed look. You can also find it on the Bobbi Brown website. I wear “Warm Porcelain” during the winter and then “Warm Ivory” during the summer when I’m less of a vampire.
I just ran out of blush and switched to this blush-and-bronzer combo, and I’m never going back. (If you’re interested in a regular bronzer, I also love this one.)
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
This is hard to find, and it’s usually out of stock at Sephora. But it’s the best concealer I’ve ever used! It’s great for underage discoloration, and I find that as long as my skin is moisturized, it doesn’t cake.
(Part of Clean at Sephora, if you’re interested in making the switch to clean beauty!)
Goodness. This is my #1 skincare product, for sure. It’s a chemical and physical exfoliator that you can use once a week or more if your skin can tolerate it—my sensitive skin can!—and every time I do it, I’m in awe of how soft my skin feels and how improved my skin tone is. It’s expensive but a little goes a LONG way. The smaller size lasted me a full year!
